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Inside-Out Center News

documentary film poster December 2024

From John Pace, Inside-Out Staff: I hope this email finds you all well! As you may know, I was honored to be selected as a Represent Justice Ambassador over a year ago. Represent Justice is an organization that partnered with Warner Bros. in 2019 to launch a social impact campaign alongside the release of Just Mercy, a film highlighting Bryan Stevenson’s transformative work in the fight for justice. Click here for more.

Ladji Ruffin November 8, 2024

Congratulations to two of Inside-Out’s formerly incarcerated coaches / dialogue partners, Kenny Butler and Joe Schwartz, who have been chosen to do a summer-long fellowship through a partnership between the Samuel Centre on Social Connectedness and The Inside-Out Center. The focus of this study is on the impact OF and ON formerly incarcerated men and women who are involved in the Inside-Out trainings and workshops. Click here for more.

James Forman Jr. September 25, 2024

Inside-Out Instructor James Forman Jr. from Yale Law School discusses what it will take to reform the criminal justice system and where reforms are already making a difference. Click here for more.

documentary film poster September 2024

Findings by Kenny Butler
Kenny's research aims to understand the impact of the coaches on training participants in the Inside-Out Center International Instructor Training Institute. One of the core themes that emerged from the research was how Inside-Out humanizes individuals. Two participants of the inside-out training pointed out that Inside-Out pedagogy attempts to foster human connection. Click here for to read the PDF.

Joe Schwartz and Kenneth Butler Summer 2024

Congratulations to two of Inside-Out’s formerly incarcerated coaches / dialogue partners, Kenny Butler and Joe Schwartz, who have been chosen to do a summer-long fellowship through a partnership between the Samuel Centre on Social Connectedness and The Inside-Out Center. The focus of this study is on the impact OF and ON formerly incarcerated men and women who are involved in the Inside-Out trainings and workshops. Click here for more.

Inside-Out 25th Anniversary event November 2023

The 25th+ Anniversary Celebration of The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program began on a chilly Sunday evening in November, as attendees took refuge in the warmth of Temple University’s historic Mitten Hall. Some had driven straight from the airport and held luggage in hand, while others arrived after an exclusive tour of Eastern State Penitentiary. Traveling from across the world to the City of Philadelphia, they enjoyed light dinner refreshments and greetings from friends and colleagues that felt long overdue. Click here for more.

JoAnne Epps September 23, 2023

On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, JoAnne Epps, Temple University’s 13th President, passed away suddenly while presiding at a memorial event at the university. Though not directly involved with Inside-Out, JoAnne was a very strong advocate for and supporter of the program. For that reason, we want to lift up her extraordinary life and legacy in this space. Click here for more.

Ella Turenne January 5, 2022

Ella Turenne passed away suddenly on the evening of Christmas 2021. The shock has been felt and expressed by the many, many people throughout her life who knew and loved her, including those of us who are part of the Inside-Out family around the globe. We’d like to share a little bit about Ella as we came to know her over the years. Click here for more.

Yusef Pierce December 24, 2021

The voices of six Inside-Out alumni offer powerful and immediate insight into the qualities that make Inside-Out such an impactful program. Hear stories from each of their unique perspectives, and gain a deeper understanding of the program’s impact. Click here for more.


Graterford auditoriumOctober 30, 2017

To celebrate twenty years of milestones and recognize the amazing accomplishments of our dedicated educators, alumni, and other community partners, The Inside-Out Center sponsored a Twentieth Anniversary Conference and Celebration from October 19-21, 2017 in Philadelphia. Click here for more.


Lori PompaNovember 16, 2016

We are pleased to announce that Lori Pompa, founder and executive director of The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, has been awarded the 2016 Lifetime Achievement in Teaching Award from the American Society of Criminology. Click here for more.


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Click here to apply to the 2025 Inside-Out Instructor Training Institutes.